Smooshy Cat

     Those of you who follow my blog have heard me talk about my blogging buddy, Teresa, of Tickell Expressions.  Although we have never met face-to-face because we live on opposite sides of the North American continent (she in Eastern Canada and I in western USA), in the past we've served together on a DT or two, and have just become really good friends over the years.

     She's such a wonderful artist and is always stretching into new media and techniques to polish and perfect her skills.  I've done other cards using several of her images which she so kindly posts as freebies on Sundays.  As a way of improving her art, she offers anyone who uses one of her images the opportunity to ask her for something specific.

     I used one of her really elegant stags a few weeks ago and, when she asked me what I'd like for a new image, I asked her for something inspired by Sebastian, the adorable, ragdoll kitten who lives with her family, and that he be doing something cute.  Yesterday, she sent me an early preview of the digi, and said the kitten is named "Smooshy."

     I was so "Tickell"ed, I jumped right in and made this card.  (Sorry for that horrible pun, Teresa!)

I used colors from the challenge at Sketchy Colors.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then die cut it and the CS mat with one of my die sets from QuicKutz.  The shaped card and the background dp were cut with another QuicKutz die.  The "Smooshy Says..." sentiment is also Teresa's and comes along with the Smooshy image.  I added the rest of the sentiment about "Play" using a computer font.  The bow is one of those I make and toss into my stash for later use but it started as white ribbon and I 'dyed' it with ProMarker.

     Challenges:

Cat's Pajamas

City Crafter

Crafting for all Seasons

Crafty Cardmakers

Crafty Sentiments

Create and Inspire

Creative Card Crew

Creative Inspirations

I {heart} ProMarkers

Not Just Cards

One Stitch at a Time (top row)

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Ruby's Rainbow

     I hope you find Smooshy as adorable as I do and that you'll want to use him for something sweet.  Remember, if you use him and post it to your blog, let Teresa know and she'll no doubt give you the opportunity to request an image you want.  :-D  

Here's the actual image and you can get it today simply by visiting Teresa's blog.

     Look around her blog while you're there and if you like her artwork, become a follower so that you won't miss any of it.  I follow her via email so that I get a reminder in my mailbox whenever she has posted something new.

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

House Mouse and Gruffies Valentine

     It turns out I'm going to have additional Grandkids and Great-Grands in town over Valentine's weekend so I'm cranking up the card making to have cards enough for everyone.  This darling image from House Mouse/Gruffies is perfect for my first Great-Grand.

     I colored with my ProMarkers and die cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  All the "Love" sentiments were die cut with the most recent set I purchased a couple of weeks ago but this is the first time I've used anything from the set (Sizzix/Tim Holtz.)  I also used a new embossing folder to emboss the roses onto the cranberry red CS.  The heart buttons and brads seemed like perfect little embellies for this rather 'busy' card.

      Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Cardmakers
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments
Eureka Stamps
Great Impressions
Gruffies & Guests (bottom row)  
House Mouse & Friends
Incy Wincy (Emboss/Red/Die Cut)
Not Just Cards
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Girls
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     It's the weekend, folks!  Enjoy it and do something fun and relaxing.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Happy Dog for a Happy Kid

     For the latest challenge at QKR Stampede this week, when our theme is "One for the Kids,"  I decided there was nothing better than a "Happy Dog (Digi 11303)" to make a great birthday card for a child.  The sentiment is done with Digi 18302 "Happy Birthday."

     Isn't that the happiest face ever?  Well, at least what you can see of it under that mop of hair.  :-D

     That Happy Dog is colored with ProMarkers, then cut with a die from my newest set ('Scallops' by Little B.)  I matted that with Ocean Blue CS and punched the corners to round them.  For the background, I chose dp from DCWV's Linen Closet stack.  It's embossed and glittered for a bit of shine and sparkle.  For the bow, I used sheer ribbon from The Ribbon Girl (sent to me as a gift by a blogging buddy in the UK.  Thank you!) and tied a double loop, double layer bow.

     As I was making this card, I thought about what a cute Valentine card it could make if I just colored the collar red and used a die with hearts or a cupid.  Wouldn't you feel loved if that happy pup was greeting you?  Hmmm, you may see this again soon in Valentine colors.  :-D

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Addicted to Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Craft for the Craic
Creative Fingers
Glitter n Sparkle (Who Let the Dogs Out?)
Morgan's ArtWorld
Hannah and Friends
Moving Along with the Times
Ribbon Girl
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Speedy Fox and Friends
Stamping Boutique
That Craft Place

     Come play along this week.  Just make something for a kid and enter it in the QKR Challenge.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Is a Box Such a Big Deal?

     Boxes when they are just boxes are not a big deal.  But when a box is the first one ever made using new tools and dies, THAT's a big deal!  And this is the first ever box made by and decorated with my own hands.  Just in time for a celebration of Valentine's Day.

This photo shows how I decorated two sides of the box and the top.  

I turned the box so that it actually opens on the side

and it's large enough to hold a cupcake or even one of those huge, 

solid-chocolate Hershey Kisses they make for Valentine's Day.

Personally, I think I'll carefully slide in one of those decadent

Triple Strawberry Cupcakes from my local bakery.  :-D

This is a shot that better shows the butterfly on the top of the box.

     The doilies and the butterfly are cut with dies from Cheery Lynn.  The hearts are cut with Spellbinders' dies.  The box is done with a board from Memory Keepers.

     I double cut the butterfly, used a matching angel wing die for the darker pink cuts, and adhered it all together along the body for that layered look.  Then it's popped up with dimensional dots onto the white heart.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafty Friends
Crazy 4 Challenges
Creative Fingers
Cut It Up
Hiding in My Craft Room
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Paper Artsy
Scrapy Land
Sweet Stamps
That Craft Place

     OK, I'm off to make a few more boxes for Valentine gifts.  Maybe I'll have to buy my cupcakes by the half dozen to fill them all.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Snowman

     I'm still working on getting my stash of birthday cards restocked so here's another fun winter card.  The snowman image is from Melonheadz.

I used the colors from the challenge at Color My Heart.

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and added a bit of sparkle with gel ink.  This time, I did something a bit different when it came to cutting out the image.  I took two of my new border dies (Spellbinders), placed one on each side of the image and used them to die cut it, trimming it top and bottom with my paper trimmer.

     The background polka dot paper is embossed and glittered, and the ribbon came from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The snowflake is a die cut, too.

     Challenges:
Craft for the Craic
Creative Moments
Double D
Inky Impressions
Kitty Bee Designs
Southern Girls
Star Stampz
Through the Purple Haze

     I hope those of you back East are managing to dig out from under the many inches of snow which piled onto you last weekend and that power is back on at your house.  If you're still snowed in, what a great excuse to craft all day.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Blooming Where You're Planted

     Even though I posted on Saturday and expressed how excited I was to now be a member of MHK Designs DT, today is my official introduction as a team member so I'm sharing one more card.

I based this on the sketch from The Outlawz,

turned sideways 1/4 turn.

     This gorgeous image comes from the "Blossoming" set, as does the sentiment.  I colored it lightly with my ProMarkers, then die cut it with one of my newest Spellbinders die sets.  Oh, yes, I'm really going to love this set of dies!   I layered that onto black CS and hand cut around the outside shape so that the black makes a mat behind the negative parts of the die cut.  The entire image piece is adhered on Pop Dots.

     I used Swiss Dot embossed CS and added black ribbon across the bottom of the card.  The Bow Tie bow was made on my new Zutter Bow-It-All.   I'm going to be doing more of those, too.  I love the way they look and, in fact, I used the rest of that roll of black and white polka dot ribbon, turning it all into Bow Ties.  The sentiment was fussy cut and matted, then fussy cut again.

     I suppose this is actually a CAS design but the die cut frame makes it look rather fancy, don't you think?  I guess this is another example of why paper crafts are such a favorite of mine -- an immediate "satisfaction" reward seeing the end result quickly.  :-D

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Craft Rocket
Crafty Addict
Crafty Friends
Crafty Girls Creations
Crazy 4 Challenges
Hannah and Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Inspiration Destination
Let's Color Saturday
Moving Along with the Times
Scrapper's Delight
Sweet Stampin'
Time Out (turned sideways)
WordArt Weds.
   
     I hope you're going to fall in love with Mynn's gorgeous designs as much as I have.  She has the most fabulous combination of vintage and retro digis along with lots of shabby papers and modern sentiments.  Don't forget that MHK Designs has its first ever challenge going on until February 16 and all you need to do is take a peek at the inspiration photo, and make something inspired by it.  It might be the colors, the flowers, the ribbon -- you pick it.  Then come play with us in the Challenge.

     Additional information regarding the challenges at MHK Designs --

You are NOT required to use MHKDesings products to enter the challenge BUT if you do, the challenge theme then is ANYTHING GOES.   That means you can choose not to follow the challenge inspiration at all but only if you use MHK Designs products.

You all have a choice of EITHER using the Photo Inspiration OR the Colour Swatch provided by the challenge prompt.  You are not required to use both. If you want to do both, that's ok too. It's all about options.  :-D

We are not a card-only challenge. All forms of paper crafts are welcome: cards, scrapbook layouts, tags, gift card holders, boxes, bags, art journal pages, multimedia artwork, etc. 

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Blossoming Set

   Challenge Inspiration Photo

Appreciate a Dragon Day

     Did you even know there was a day for appreciating dragons?  Since I have a granddaughter who loves dragons, and is crazy about every dragon card I make, so I knew about that unique Holiday.

     I'm going to use this as a Valentine card.  How could you not want to share love with this obviously adored dragon?  The image is from A Day for Daisies.

   
     I used ProMarkers to color the image and then die cut it using one of my newest dies from Spellbinders.   At Christmas, my SIL gave me a gift card to Amazon and I went crazy buying new die sets.  I'm so happy!

     The die cut frame was so delicate and fancy that all I did was add the stitching and the sentiment.  No ribbon, no flower embellies, no bling -- just the frame and faux stitching.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiran
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Creative Fingers
Deep Ocean
Hannah and Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrapper's Delight
Scrapy Land
Stamping Boutique
Through the Craft Room Door

     I hope you'll find a dragon to love before Valentine's Day.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Sled Friends

     Due to a series of things, this post is much later than I intended it to be.  But at least I'm getting it posted now.

     Last Thursday, a brand new challenge blog started and it can be found here: MHK Designs .  Here's the inspiration photo for the January/February challenge, which runs from January 21 to February 16:

 

and here's my card using colors from the inspiration photo and using an image from the Sled Friends set by MHK Designs:

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and die cut it with a simple circle die by QuicKutz.  I cut two more circles the same size and used them to make an offset mat.  The spotted dp is also from MHK Designs (You've Been Spotted - Brights.)  Because it's digital paper, I was able to adjust the size, squeezing it to get oval spots instead of regular polka dots.

     The black lace came from my stash and the black pine cones are die cuts (Memory Box.)  Finally, I added a small, black bow, one of those I make by the dozens and toss in my stash for future use.  The sentiment is my own.

     Challenges:
A Snowflakes Promise
AuroraWings
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Boots
Fan-Tastic Tuesday
Ike's Art
Inky Chicks
Melonheadz Friends
Not Just Cards
Simon Says Stamp

     I'm thrilled to be part of the MHK Designs DT !  I love Mynn's artwork and the vintage images she creates.  You'll be seeing lots more posts showcasing her work next month.  If you see things you like, come join the challenge.   You don't have to use an MHK Designs image, but we're just thrilled when you do.  :-D  You could win these two sets of images and also a set of papers, if you enter.

  

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Blue Moose

     Today starts this week's challenge at QKR Stampede and our new theme is "I'm Feelin' Blue" so we want to see plenty of blue on your cards.  I used this fun and funky Digi 22301 "Winter Moose"  and Digi 17407 "Thank You" for the sentiment.  I still need a few more cards for saying "Thanks."

 

Knowing that we were going to be using shades of blue,

I chose these colors from Digitally Sweet.

     The image is colored with  my ProMarkers, then die cut with a scalloped die (Spellbinders) and matted with two plain circle die cuts (QuicKutz).  I also die cut a circle as a mat for the bow and the snowflake charm.  The background dp is from the "Linen Closet" stack by DCWV.   All the papers and CS are new additions to my stash, most of them showing up right around Christmas or the after-Christmas sales.

     The ribbon I used to make the bow (double layer and double loop) came from Really Reasonable Ribbon and is also a new addition to my stash.  My blogging friend, Lynn, sent me the charm a long time back after I saw one on a card she made and oooohed and ahhhhed over it.  Maybe I should send her this card just to say "Thanks, Lynn."  What do you think? 

     Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations

A Snowflakes Promise

Cardz 4 Guyz

Clear It Out

Craft for the Craic

Craft Your Passion

Crafting from the Heart

Crafty Boots

Crazy Challenge

Eureka Stamps

Lemon Shortbread

Love to Scrap

Not Just Cards

Paper Girls

Simon Says Stamp

Vintage Stamping

Where the HeART Is

     Come play with us this week, won't you?   Just grab an image (QKR or any other), use lots of blue on your card, and then enter it in the challenge.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Old Wagon

     I love this old wagon image from Doodle Pantry.  While it wasn't designed as a winter image, I did my best to make it look like it was out in a field after a morning of falling snow.

     It reminds me so much of an old, broken-down wagon which had been left in a grazing area on my aunt's ranch up in Montana.  I was lucky enough to have been able to stay with her one fall and early winter when I was 15.  She bred horses on her ranch and also used a few acres of her land for a family farm.  That was a learning experience for a city girl !  Feeding livestock and hauling water for them from the river in 50 gallon drums three times a week, plus picking vegetables and digging potatoes for the dinner meal were things I'd never done but I learned quickly that not everything came from a grocery store.   That's where I learned about root cellars to store veggies for the winter.  :-D

I based my card on the sketch at Sweet Sketch Weds.

I also used these photos for inspiration:

                       Double D                      House That Stamps Built

                   

      The image is colored with ProMarkers and gel ink, then die cut with a Memory Keepers stitched die.  Both the sentiment and the dp for the mat are also cut with dies from that set.  The mat dp is made using chalk on watercolor paper.

     The twine and glittered snowflake were both in my stash and the brads have been hiding in a drawer for a couple of years or more.  Definitely time to use some of them.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Enjoyments
Creative Moments
Di's Digi Designs
Graph'It
Inspiration Destination
Morgan's Artworld
Paper Creator's Crafts
Petal Lu
Simply Papercraft
Sisters of Craft
Stamping Boutique
Your Scrapbook Place

     Thanks for stopping by.  Kick off your shoes and stay a while.  Warm cookies should be out of the oven momentarily and you're more than welcome to sample some.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Warm & Cozy

     I found an image at A Day for Daisies which will show you (without any words at all) exactly what my life looks like on cold, winter nights!  :-D  As many times as I've visited the ADFD store, I don't know why I hadn't seen this image before,  Maybe it's new to them as well as being new to me.   Either way, I have it now and will use it many times, I'm sure.

    Have I shared with you that my fur babies have now decided that I must be their best friend?  It only happens in winter when they need a warm body to cuddle.

I chose my colors based on the photo inspiration at The Outlawz.

     I colored my image with ProMarkers and then used a Memory Box Stitched Squares die to cut it.  I also cut the mat with another die from that same set.  The CS for the mat was embossed using my "Linen" folder.  I used kraft CS for the card base and stitched around it with white gel pen.

     All the flowers come from my stash and I added glitter to each one.  The ribbon came from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Artistic Inspirations
Craft Your Passion
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Boots
Crafty Friends
Crazy Challenge
Creative Fingers
Digi Choosday
Fan-Tastic Tuesday
Let's Color Saturdays
Love to Scrap
Not Just Cards
Scrapper's Delights
Simon Says Stamp
Sparkle n Sprinkle

     I'm off shortly to have brunch with my daughter.  It's been very foggy here all morning but that's beginning to burn off so maybe we'll have a bit of sunshine this afternoon.  Happy Stamping.   NanaConnie  

Basset Hound Says Get Well

     New challenge starts this morning at Tuesday Throwdown and we're sponsored by our very own Crafty Girl.  Our theme is "Under the Weather" so we want to see Get Well cards.  I'm sure every one of you knows someone with a sniffle or dose of the flu so make a card to cheer them up.

     I chose to use Crafty Girl's "Bassett Hound" because that facial expression just screamed love and concern.  :-D

     He's colored with my ProMarkers and fussy cut, then adhered to the black CS with dimensional dots.  Unfortunately, that doesn't show very well in the photo but IRL, it's great.  All the cardstock and dp pieces are scraps from the bin that had to be used or tossed.  It was just waaay too full.

     I used as many as I could reasonably get on the card without it being too much.  For embellishment, I chose to keep it pretty simple and used only the ribbon with the paw prints and bones because it seemed to fit with the image.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiran
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Girls Creations
Creative Fingers
Little Miss Muffet
Moving Along with the Times
My Sheri Crafts
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Simply Papercraft
Suzy Bee's Bloomin'

     Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're going to play in the challenge at Tuesday Throwdown this week.  We'd love to be inspired by what you create.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Feminine Birthday

     Today I'm sharing another card I've made, recycling one of the vintage and outdated cards given to me by a friend who found a small box of them at a yard sale.  This one turned into a delightful feminine birthday card.

My inspiration came mostly from the photo in

the challenge at Always Playing with Paper.

     I fussy cut the inside corner of the card and used it as the focus image, adding some punched, colored with ProMarker, then beaded, flowers along the edge.  I ran the front of  the card base through my "Linen" embossing folder.  I used the folder without using the rubber embossing pad in the 'sandwich'.  That's one of my favorites ways to use it because the embossing is always so subtle.

     The double butterfly was made using die cut butterflies, dimensional dots, and a gemstone.  Finally, I used white ink to stamp the sentiment and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Artistic Stampers
City Crafter
Come and Get It
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Craft Your Passion
Digistamps 4 Joy
Incy Wincy (top row)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Love to Scrap
Not Just Cards 
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Creator's Crafts
Petal Lu

     Today would be a great day to stay in and craft but I have things to do out there in the great big world so the crafting will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon.  Hope your week is going well.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Pretty in Pink

     It's time for our January mid-challenge reminder at Quirky Crafts and I'm using another Stitchy Bear image called "Pretty in Pink."   She reminds me of all the sewing I used to do for my two granddaughters (and myself.)   I'm afraid these days, I spend more time doing cards and paper crafts than sewing but the satisfaction that comes from a project completed in just an hour or so is such an 'instant reward' that now I much prefer paper to fabric.  Don't you just love the tiny hearts swirling near the hem of her dress?  :-D

     This card is a combination of old and new:  the frame's die set (Cheery Lynn) is an old one that I've had for a while but haven't used very much and the wider ribbon is new.  I colored the image with chalks and my ProMarkers, then die cut it and added the die cut frame.  I matted those with burgundy CS die cut with a rectangle die (Spellbinders) and used a Swiss Dot folder to emboss the background paper.   I did the multi-loop, single-layer bow using my new bow maker.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Bunny Zoe's
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafting with an Attitude
Get Creative
I {heart} ProMarkers
Inspiration Destination
In the Pink
Julia Spiri
Not Just Cards
Our Crafty Corner
Paper Minutes
Paper Nest Dolls
Scrapy Land
Sisterhood of Crafters
Through the Craft Room Door
Unicorn

     That's all for today.  I hope your weekend is going well and that you've gotten in lots of crafty time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Snakes in the Snow

     We're starting a new challenge today and we have a really simple theme: "Lots of Layers."  I think this is one of the funniest images I've ever seen at QKR Stampede!    (Digi 12602 "Happy Snake")  The sentiment is my own this time.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and die cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I used two layers of burlap as mats for the image because it gives such great texture.  Besides, the burlap is new and it was right there on my desk, waiting to be put away, so why not use it?  :-D  Those mats are die cut with the same set of dies.  I also matted the sentiment with burlap.  Behind the matted image, I used torn CS and behind that a layer of dark brown CS.

     For embellishments, I added a strip of ribbon (brand new from Really Reasonable Ribbon) at the top of the card and then added one of the handsewn bows I make by the dozens and keep in my stash for future use.  This one was made with white ribbon, dyed with marker to get the exact color I wanted.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Snowflakes Promise
Artistic Inspirations
Classy Cards n Such
Craft for the Craic
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cutie Pie
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Journey
Get Creative
Glitter n Sparkle (1st column)
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Melonheadz Friends
Pattie's Creations
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Scrapy Land
Stamping Boutique

     Come play in our Layers challenge this week, won't you?  We'd love to see what you create.  Remember, you can use any image by any company, but if you do use a QKR Stampede image, your project is entered into a separate drawing just for QKR users.  That increases your chance of winning significantly.   Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Monochrome Deer

     I noticed that the current challenge over at Delicious Doodles had to do with "Leftovers."  Since I've really over-filled my box of scraps during the fall and holiday months, I went there first before going to my Delicious Doodles digi file to pick out an image.  I had a ton of browns and grays in CS and one or two pieces of dp that would work so I decided on this gorgeous pencil-sketch image called "Deer with Antlers."

I based this on the card sketch from Hannah & Friends.

     Believe it or not, I did do some coloring with of my palest tan and gray ProMarkers and with a pewter metallic marker.  I used one of my first die sets to cut the image and then added 4 layers of scrap CS to make the mats for the image.  The dp was in the 'toss it' bin, too small a leftover to really save but look how perfectly it worked here.  I didn't even have to trim it or shorten it.  Clearly, it was meant to be on this card.  :-D

     The leaves were cut from another scrap bit of gray CS using my favorite die from Cheery Lynn.   The metal snowflake is a charm and was another leftover from the holiday cards.  Can you have leaves and snowflakes on the same card?  I guess so -- the deer have to eat something in the winter.  :-D

     The sentiment was printed with a computer font and, now that it's finished, this gives me one more birthday card in my stash.  Starting in February, I have quite a few family/friends birthdays over the next couple of months.  Then another batch in the summer and finally, again in late fall.  They seem to come 3 or 4 at a time with a short break in between.  :-D

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafting for all Seasons
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Addicts
Creative Fingers
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Julia Spiri
Just Us Girls
Let's Color Saturday
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Male Room
Morgan's Artworld
Scrapper's Delights

     I'll be back on Friday for the next challenge at QKR Stampede.  Stop by then and have a look around.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Bean Counters

     The Friday challenge over at The Outlawz has changed and is now a "Festive Friday" challenge.  Each week, four silly 'festivities' are chosen and you can use any one of them as the theme for your card.  This week the four things are:  Bean Day, Bird Day, Bubble Bath Day, and Polar Bear Plunge Day.  I chose this fun image by From the Heart Stamps because I could cover two of the four festive days.  :-D

I also used the sketch from The Outlawz.

Of course, I had to modify it for the shape of my image piece.

     I colored with my ProMarkers and added the sentiment.  I die cut it with one of my dies from Spellbinders.  I matted it with CS and rounded the corners with a punch.  Both ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the flower is from a new batch of white flowers I got from Santa.  Pretty fast and simple.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafting for all Seasons
Craft Rocket
Great Impressions
Jo's Scrap Shack
Julia Spiri
Male Room
Not Just Cards
Paper Shelter
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Scrapy Land

     That's it for me today.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Open-Minded Crafting Fun is Back!!

     OK, we've all been waiting for the return of Open-Minded Crafting Fun which has been on a 4 month break.  They've added some new DT members, taken back a few who were on the team once before (me! Bless their hearts), and several of the ladies who were on the team when they started the long break have stayed on.  Changes include becoming a monthly challenge which will begin on the 10th of each month.

     Today starts our first challenge in 2016 and our theme is "Try Something New."  That might be a new technique, a new product, a new card style...  we just need to know what you used that's new.  We have multiple sponsors for this challenge:  Doodle Pantry ($10 GC);  Imagine That ($10 GC);  Polkadoodles (7.50 Euro GC); and finally Smeared Ink ($25 of digis).  Unfortunately, Smeared Ink closed in December and, while they still will be sponsoring us, I can't link to their store anymore.

     Each of these sponsors provided images for the DT to use and my image came from Imagine That.  It's called "Polar Love" and I think it's just the sweetest thing for a Valentine card.

     My design is pretty CAS but I do have lots of 'new' on it.  First, I used new CS to make the card base and the mat for the image.  Next, the little heart buttons are cut with one of my new punches (Fiskars).  The larger hearts are cut with a new die (Spellbinders).  On the other hand, the corners are rounded with my oldest corner punch and the bow is one of those I make by the dozens and toss into my stash to use in the future.  So, there's a nice blend of old and new.  :-D

     Challenges:
A Snowflakes Promise
As You Like It
Craft-Dee BowZ
Craft Rocket
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Boots
Creative Moments
Lemon Shortbread
Not Just Cards
Our Crafty Corner
Outlawz PAM
Paper Shelter
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Star Stampz
WordArt Wednesday

     I hope you'll come play with us in the new monthly challenge at Open-Minded Crafting Fun.  You have all the rest of January to enter and you just need to show us something new.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Hot Cocoa Weather

     When the weather is nasty and the wind is howling, it's time to bring in the fur babies, make hot cocoa, and snuggle up on the couch, leaving the freezing cold outside where it belongs.  This darling image from A Day for Daisies reminded me of "hot cocoa evenings" from my childhood.  How could I resist making a card?

     I started with the sketch from Atlantic Hearts, flipped side to side,

and used the colors from Inspired by Stamping.

  

     The image and sentiment are both printed right onto the card front because I wanted a really CAS card.  I colored with my ProMarkers, added a spatter of glitter to the pompom on her cap, and inked the edges.  I sponged around the borders with an ink pad.  This card was the first done in colors that allowed me to use my brand new velvet ribbon that I got for Christmas.  I'm so crazy about that ribbon and I got it in three different shades of pink.  This one is the darkest and, yes, it's just as soft and scrumptious as it looks!  

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
A Snowflakes Promise

ArtbyMiran

Brown Sugar
Crafting for all Seasons
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Fingers
Digi Choosday
Everybody-Art
Fan-Tastic Tuesday
Inspiration Destination
In the Pink

Jo's Scrap Shack
Not Just Cards
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Passion for ProMarkers

Really Reasonable Ribbon

     I'm really proud of myself for managing a post every day this past week.  I had a miserable bout of the flu last week and it's taking forever to shake it off.  I am up and about most of the day now but I did sneak off for a nap the last two days.  I still have no voice and I tire easily but I've gotten a lot done despite that.

     Be sure to stop by tomorrow.  After a four month break, Open-Minded Crafting Fun is back and I've rejoined the team!  We're going to have monthly challenges now, starting on the 10th of each month.  You won't want to miss our first January challenge, with multiple sponsors for more chances to win!!  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Shoe House

     Good Morning!  It's time for another new challenge at QKR Stampede and for those of you who love doing Clean and Simple designs, this is the challenge for you.  Our theme is CAS; just that simple.  :-D  My card uses a wonderful digi image and a sentiment from QKR:  16201 "Shoe House" and 17308 "All the Years."

     This card will be used for a family who has just purchased their first home.  New year, new home - how exciting is that?  I thought the image was simply adorable.  I can hardly believe that in all the months I've been on the DT for QKR, to say nothing of the couple of years I'd been using their stamps before joining the DT, I had somehow not seen this image!   Oh, well, that makes it new to me for this new 2016 year.

     I printed the image directly onto my card front, then colored with ProMarkers.  I dug out some ribbon from my stash, printed and cut the sentiment, inked the edges of both the sentiment and the card, and found some of my newest twine to make a triple bow.  Very CAS and perfect for showcasing that cute shoe house.

     Challenges:
City Crafter
Colour Your World
Come and Get It
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Digi Choosday
Di's Digi Designs
Glitter n Sparkle
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Love to Scrap
Not Just Cards
Paper Girls
Scrapper's Delights
Simon Says Stamp
Star Stampz

     QKR Stampede is also having a DT call !  Woohoo!  If you love QKR images as much as I do, and would like to work with them each week, why not check out the challenge blog for details about how to apply?  See you there.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie